Stiff, halting steps toward him as he hesitantly eased closer to me, graceful, always graceful.  I raised a hand to his face, the smoothness of his cheek on my palm, the hypnotic pull of his eyes on mine.  //He's really here.// 

There was no hesitation when I bent my head to his, or when his lips met mine and the kiss was the pure perfection I'd be longing for since the first time my eyes devoured him - an angel on a shabby stage in a filthy bar. 

The kiss deepened, his mouth opening further beneath mine, my tongue delving inside to tangle with his, his taste making me lightheaded.  His hands stroked up my back, and mine tightened around his torso, holding him as tight, as close as I could, never wanting to let go.  And there was longing, and desire, and desperation in that kiss. 

"I'm sorry... I was going to tell you..." I murmured against his mouth, my lips reluctant to leave his skin.  He caught my mouth in a bruising kiss, effectively silencing me.  Our tongues entwined for glorious moments, parting only for breath.  His cheek brushed mine, his hair a silky caress on my face, his breath in my ear, voice a whisper, 

"I didn't give you a chance... God, I wish I hadn't run away..." Then he smothered my lips in a desperate, frantic kiss, his tongue plundering, hands gripping my head.  It was raw, passionate, almost rough.  I loved it. 

He drew back slowly, eyes finding mine again, two fingers trailing down my cheek as if he needed to reassure himself I was still there. 

"Once I found out who you are I... I was so sure you wouldn't want me." 

//Not want him?!?//  I stared in amazement at the beautiful creature before me, his eyes huge, his lips swollen and wet with kisses. //How could anyone not want him?//  He's perfect.  He's an angel.  I was in awe, struck silent by his beauty and the absolute sincerity of his words. 

"Darren..." My voice caught in my throat.  I wanted so much to tell him... but there were no words for what I was feeling, so I covered his mouth with mine and poured it all into kisses, showing him how much I wanted him, what he did to me, rather than cheapening it with words. 

He responded immediately, and soon his body was grinding against mine, groin to groin, my hands under his shirt, his wandering below my waistband, gripping my ass through the fine material of my pants.  Our legs entwined and I fell back against the wall for support, my groan smothered by his lips taking mine again.  We groped and thrust against each other, messily frantic.  My hands roved his body, touching as much skin as I could expose, memorizing him, every curve, every expanse of flesh.  His touch was electric, robbing me of breath, making me moan into our kisses with exquisite torture. 

It could have gone on forever, it could have ended in seconds with both of us coming where we stood, but I'll never know because Lynne chose that moment to pound on the door. 

"Daniel get the fuck outta there! You're due on stage five minutes ago!" 

With a muffled sound of extreme frustration my lips left Darren's.  I let my head drop forward so our foreheads touched, waiting for my breath and heartbeat to slow, willing my body into submission.  I wanted to tell Lynne to fuck the encore, but as my eyes met Darren's again, I had a better idea. 

"Two minutes!" I called back, dropping one last kiss on Darren's lips before reluctantly disentangling myself from his body and striding to the door.  Ran a hand through my hair and took a breath to calm myself before opening it halfway. "And Lynne..." I ignored Lynne's harried and extremely annoyed expression.  "Get the road crew to set up another mic.  For vocals." 

"Excuse me?  When did you start singing?"  Lynne wasn't having a bar of it. 

"It's not for me."  I eased the door all the way open and gestured for Darren to come forward.  He threw me a vexed look before doing so with immense hesitation. 

"Darren this is Lynne Christie my manager, Lynne this is Darren Hayes: vocalist, songwriter." 

Darren did a pretty good job of hiding his shock.  Lynne didn't. 

"You're not serious-" She stammered, 

"Trust me on this one, Lynne.  You wont regret it."  I gave her my most charming smile.  She gave me that suspicious look of hers.  I could tell she needed a push, so I gave her one.  "I'm not going on without him." 

I saw her jaw set, but when she finally spoke, years of PR training kept her voice level.   

"Fine.  But you'd better make sure I don't regret this." 

I took that as a dismissal, but before I could close the door she stopped me mid-motion with a touch on the arm and a sharp look. Motioning to Darren with a head movement, she spoke knowingly, in a voice only I would hear. 

"He's no Meg Ryan clone, but don't think I don't know why you're doing this, Dan."